At least one of its species, Eufriesea purpurata from Brazil, has been shown to selectively collect large quantities of the insecticideDDT without any apparent adverse effects.[2] Individual bees were observed to collect as much as 2 mg, which is in the percent range of body weight. The males of orchid bees are known to collect aromatic fragrances from certain kinds of orchids, and it is thought that they use these in territorial display and courtship, probably as precursors of their own pheromones. Some orchid bees have also been found to collect fragrances from rotten wood.